Essay about culture and communication

All living beings have some way or another to communicate with each other of the same
species. From plants to mammals, each one can communicate to each other. What makes humans
both unique and special is the fact that we have the ability to teach others through both written
and verbal communication. This is how we pass what is known as culture from one generation to
another. In my essay I will explore if there is a link between language, culture, and how the
world views other cultures.

Humans are the only creature that has what we call culture. Culture is what is passed on
from one generation to another via language. It is a set of agreed upon rules or laws that regulate
the society and how it operates. It is historical, functional, mental, structural, symbolic, topical,
and normative. Culture can be any combination of these things that teach the younger
generations how to survive in unfamiliar conditions, describe the world around them to others so
that it can be understood, or many other things that we do not know at birth.

Communication is both verbal and non-verbal. The human ability to communicate is more
than the ability to use verbal symbols. However, these can be done by other living beings as
well. Animals hunt in packs. Insects move in organized swarms. Yet neither of them have
language It may be through body language that a person learns to communicate feelings to
others. We are also able to draw symbols that represent other things. Writing the word does not
look like a desk. However, we know what this arrangement of symbols represent.

Language is the ability to use symbols to communicate to others. As long as the people
communicating share the same language, then the culture can be passed on. When they do not
share the same language is where the problem come in. Different cultures may, and usually do,
use different symbols to represent the same item. If two people from different cultures tried to
communicate without knowing the others language, they would not be able to communicate
effectively.

This is where language and culture build a bridge to each other. Without one you will not
have the other. Culture depends on the ability of those who live in it to be able to show, teach,
and pass-on it values and morals through the use of a symbol system. That is what language is.
Language is what makes a culture. It is not the backbone, but it is the supporting structure.
Language is developed by a culture so that its members can communicate with each other.
 When a culture or society views something different or separate from their culture, this is
called worldview. An example of this would be a culture that nomadic as opposed to one that
thrives on meeting and dealing other cultures. A representative that went to a nomadic society
may not be welcomed by the society because of their culture. The nomadic society probably
would not send a representative to the other culture. Sometimes a society may judge some aspect
another culture. This is ethnocentrism.

This also has an effect of worldview. If a society watches another culture and learns from
their advances, they may then classify the as more or less advanced, stronger or weaker, or any
other classification to pass on to others in the society. As an example, when most North
Americans hear Africans, the think of primitive, black tribes, not of countries, cities, and other
accomplishments that may have occurred in their numerous societies and culture. What makes
worldview so important is that it how one culture learns and grows from another culture.

Culture in general sense is the combination of traditions, beliefs, norms, values, etc. Its all
about how a person behaves in group or with others. Culture is the deeper level of basic
assumptions and beliefs that are shared by members of an organization, that operate
unconsciously and define in a basic taken for granted' fashion or organization's view of its self
and its environment - Edgar Schein

Communication is the main part of any culture because nobody can explain how he feels
or wants to do without communicating with the other. Before understanding the communication
in culture, first we have to understand the term communication. Communication is the exchange
of facts, ideas, opinions, information, thoughts and feeling from one entity to another.

Today different experts of communication are giving training to the employees working on
international level, so that they can face the challenges of working internationally. The
communication training is essential for the people working and living abroad to learn how to
behave in particular circumstances.

After studying all the six links given on managing across cultural staff, I have selected two
links which are useful for me to understand and analyzing how communication helps in
managing different cultures. I have chosen two links on the basis of CRAP test which is very
effective tool to choose particular link among various.
 Communication is considered as a natural process. In daily life, communication brings
people together. In business, well communication is a key leads to success. In a global
environment, communication is a very useful tool to develop diplomatic relation between
countries.In our daily life, by well communicating, you can make many friends or build better
relationship with your friends or family. You are a good communicator when you can fluently
sharing your thoughts, information to someone.

By sending a clear message, people can understand you better. This is a factor of building
and maintaining a good relationship to each other.Not only being a helpful tool in daily life,
communication is a key leads to success in business. In Business Communication for Success by
Scott McLean, he mentions that communication skill (verbal and written) is one of the top five
personal qualities or skills that employers seek for. Strong work ethic, teamwork skills (works
well with others, group communication), initiative, and analytical skills are also on that list. In
September 2004, the National Commission on Writing for Americas Families, Schools, and
Colleges published a study on 120 human resource directors titled Writing A Ticket to WorkOr a
Ticket Out, A Survey of Business Leaders. The study found that writing is both a marker of
high-skill, high-wage, professional work and a gatekeeper with clear equity implications, said
Bob Kerrey, president of New School University in New York and chair of the commission.
People unable to express themselves clearly in writing limit their opportunities.

Worldview, culture, and language are a triangle of humanity. Each one is just as important
as the other. You cannot have one or two without the other ones. Language, the base of all
cultures, is taught to a child even before the child can learn the set of symbols. Culture is
dependent on language to move it not only from one generation to the next, but also from one
society to another. Worldview is the window to the world and how it operates outside of our own
society. These three items are all linked to each other both directly and firmly. If a society looses
any of these three aspects, it will surely fail in a matter of generations.